In 1951, Robert H. Simpson lifted off in a specially-equipped plane, flying directly into the path of a storm that would send most people running for cover. For more than four hours he observed Typhoon Marge from its eerily calm eye, later describing...

Gazing up at the heavens from our backyards or a nearby field, most of us see an undifferentiated mess of stars – if, that is, we can see anything at all through the glow of light pollution. Today's casual observer knows far less about the sky than d...